Aberdeen Central found itself on the opposite ends of the spectrum during a pair of Eastern South Dakota Conference wrestling duals at Golden Eagles Arena Tuesday evening.

Central defeated Yankton 63-15 before falling to powerhouse Brandon Valley 58-16 in boys’ action.

“It’s just kind of the tale of two duals,” said Central coach Donnie Bowden. “You go out there and kind of get everything done and it seems like everything is going right, and then you come back against a real stiff opponent in Brandon Valley and it kind of goes the other way.”

Bowden was pleased with his team’s competitive spirit even against the Lynx, where they won just two contested matches.

“I think we went out there and fought. Even the Brandon Valley dual where the score looks really, really lopsided, we went out there against some really game opponents and we took advantage of some opportunities,” Bowden said. “And that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re just trying to get a little bit better against the stiffest competition. We’re going to go out there and give our best effort. We just have to fight.”

A prime example of that effort was Dylan Schaunaman at 160 pounds. The senior pinned his opponent from Yankton and dropped a hard-fought 4-3 decision against a foe from Brandon Valley.

“With Dylan it was good to see him go out there and get in some wrestling positions and have some fight,” Bowden said. “That’s what we’ve been looking for in Dylan for a while. It’s just coming little bit by little bit, but we need to put it together here these next couple of weeks.”

Schaunaman waited for the right opportunity to attack during his Yankton match.

After a slow start, Schaunaman spotted his chance and took advantage of it.

“I don’t like tying up with people, so I made sure I was out of those ties and made sure that I was circling and making him step,” Schaunaman said. “That finally worked where I could get to that shot.”

Leading 5-0 after the first period, Schaunaman took Bowden’s advice to start in a neutral position for the second period. He soon scored a takedown and stuck his foe.

“That worked out perfect,” Schaunaman said, “because he shot and then I got in deep with him, threw him over and got the fall for the team.”

Schaunaman has his sights set on qualifying for the state tournament, something that has eluded him in the past.

“In year’s past, I’ve come close to qualifying for state and I’ve come close in those matches,” Schaunaman said. “It’s just kind of a mental thing for me.”

Central’s other senior Brock Martin recorded two wins on the day, one by major decision and one by fall.

“Brock went out there and just kind of kept doing what he’s been doing,” Bowden said. “Once we got him down to 132 that dominant streak has just started rolling. He just went out there and took control.”

Samson Flakus pinned his Brandon Valley opponent in 21 seconds at 220 pounds.

“It was good to see Samson go out there and be deliberate with what he’s doing and just do it,” Bowden said.

Other Eagles winners of contested matches against Yankton included Rayden Zens, Mason Schrempp, Logan Opitz, Ayden Gisi, Ryker Meister, Bryce Beitelspacher and Jacob Krenz.

Central’s girls won both of their duals, although there were just five contested matches.

Madyson Gillen recorded pins for the Eagles in two of those matches.

“Madyson is always going to go out there and do what she does,” Bowden said. “The same thing with her, we just have to make sure we’re making those small improvements. We don’t want the results to overlook the actual wrestling with her.”

Eva Hinkle also pinned one of her opponents in the triangular.

Katrina Gibson recorded a pin during an exhibition match against Brandon Valley.

“It was good for Katrina to go out there and find some more success, because she’s coming,” Bowden said. “There again, little bit by little bit she’s coming and she’s going to be there in the end.”

While this is the second year for girls’ wrestling, it is just the first year for Gibson. The sophomore said she focuses on daily improvement.

“This is my first year,” Gibson said, “but I think the biggest part is going in with a good mindset and having good practices.”

She said having people like Gillen and Hinkle in the room helps her cause.

“It does help a lot,” Gibson said. “Not only are they good wrestlers, but they’re good teammates and they help encourage really good behavior and help me get better.”

Central hosts Brookings at 7 p.m. Thursday at Golden Eagles Arena.

It is an important dual as the Eagles vie for a potential berth in the state dual tournament later this month.

“That’s a much-needed win dual,” Bowden said. “Hopefully, if we get that one we’re kind of knocking on the door to get into the state duals.”

BOYS

Aberdeen Central 63, Yankton 15

106: Devon Coke (YANK) over (ABCE) (For.); 113: Tate Huff (ABCE) over (YANK) (For.); 120: Rayden Zens (ABCE) over Collin Patrick (YANK) (Fall 0:49); 126: Mason Schrempp (ABCE) over Dylan Sloan (YANK) (Dec 7-3);

132: Brock Martin (ABCE) over Bode Thurman (YANK) (Fall 3:15); 138: Paul McGlone (YANK) over Elias Biegler (ABCE) (Dec 3-0); 145: Logan Opitz (ABCE) over Chase Howe (YANK) (Fall 3:28); 152: Josh Swenson (YANK) over (ABCE) (For.); 160: Dylan Schaunaman (ABCE) over Asa Swenson (YANK) (Fall 2:47);

170: Ayden Gisi (ABCE) over Jackson Conway (YANK) (Fall 5:32); 182: Ryker Meister (ABCE) over Max Diedrichsen (YANK) (Fall 1:15); 195: Bryce Beitelspacher (ABCE) over Vaden Griel (YANK) (Fall 1:43); 220: Samson Flakus (ABCE) over (YANK) (For.); 285: Jacob Krenz (ABCE) over Derrick Biel (YANK) (Fall 1:23).

GIRLS

Aberdeen Central 24, Yankton 12

106: Jett Yaggie (YANK) over Eva Hinkle (ABCE) (Fall 0:31); 113: Madyson Gillen (ABCE) over Keira Christ (YANK) (Fall 2:20); 120: Kaylee Efraimson (ABCE) over (YANK) (For.); 126: Nevaeh Leonard (YANK) over Ula Martin (ABCE) (Fall 2:34); 132: Double Forfeit;

145: Double Forfeit; 152: Double Forfeit; 170: Katrina Gibson (ABCE) over (YANK) (For.); 195: Double Forfeit; 285: Autum Gauer (ABCE) over (YANK) (For.)

BOYS

Brandon Valley 58, Aberdeen Central 16

106: Trevon Oehme (BRVA) over (ABCE) (For.); 113: Tate Huff (ABCE) over (BRVA) (For.); 120: Jesse Johnson (BRVA) over Rayden Zens (ABCE) (Dec 12-10); 126: Jordon Oehme (BRVA) over Mason Schrempp (ABCE) (MD 12-4);

132: Brock Martin (ABCE) over Levi Veskrna (BRVA) (MD 11-3); 138: Trason Oehme (BRVA) over Elias Biegler (ABCE) (Fall 3:04); 145: Alex Mentzer (BRVA) over Logan Opitz (ABCE) (Fall 1:12); 152: Gavin Chapman (BRVA) over (ABCE) (For.); 160: Cayden Langenhorst (BRVA) over Dylan Schaunaman (ABCE) (Dec 4-3);

170: Lucas Slack (BRVA) over Ayden Gisi (ABCE) (Fall 1:50); 182: Dominic Tucker (BRVA) over Ryker Meister (ABCE) (Fall 2:40); 195: Damion Schunke (BRVA) over Bryce Beitelspacher (ABCE) (Fall 3:44); 220: Samson Flakus (ABCE) over Franco Solorio (BRVA) (Fall 0:21); 285: Navarro Schunke (BRVA) over Jacob Krenz (ABCE) (Fall 0:39).

GIRLS

Aberdeen Central 36, Brandon Valley 6

106: Eva Hinkle (ABCE) over Kendall Clayton (BRVA) (Fall 0:49); 113: Madyson Gillen (ABCE) over Grace Carson (BRVA) (Fall 0:50); 120: Kaylee Efraimson (ABCE) over (BRVA) (For.); 126: Ula Martin (ABCE) over (BRVA) (For.); 132: Double Forfeit;

145: Double Forfeit; 152: Annala Davis (BRVA) over (ABCE) (For.); 170: Katrina Gibson (ABCE) over (BRVA) (For.); 195: Double Forfeit; 285: Autum Gauer (ABCE) over (BRVA) (For.).